Greetings Coalition!

We It seems like three years have gone by in rapid pace and yet we are still here, still advocating for the people of Darfur. There’s a fatigue, at times, that comes over all advocates because we cannot take direct action. We cannot, even if inclined to do so, take up arms and stand watch over the millions of displaced individuals. So we do what we can. Wwe tell as many as we can in the hope that one day, our efforts will pay off. In the meantime, the cries of the children who go without food, of the women who will be raped, the men who are left without families continue to reach out across the ocean and find us here in Georgia.

I am saddened that during my year as Chair of the Coalition, we did not help the Darfuris find peace. However, as I turn over the reins of this organization to other members, I am lifted up by what we have done and what the future holds for this Coalition. This year’s rally was one of the best. While we stood on the steps of the State Capitol, we looked out over a sea of green signs that declared “Not On Our Watch, Not On Our Dime.” We saw a great many people caring about people they will never meet for one simple reason: because it’s the right thing to do.

In this Issue:

- Rally Results - Sen. Shafer and the Coalition Introduce SB370 - Lobby Day Feb. 12 - Change of Leadership - ‘In Darfur’ Play at Horizon Theatre April 8 - Member Events - Next Coalition Meeting

RALLY RESULTS

More than 600 people came to the 3rd Annual DUACG Rally for Darfur on Sunday, Jan. 27. We heard from impassioned speakers like Mohamed Yahya, whose family was slaughtered in Western Darfur; Basmat Ahmed, a young Darfuri who now attends school here in Atlanta; and Adam Sterling, star of the movie “Darfur Now” and founder of the Sudan Divestment Task Force.

The message of the rally was clear: we may not be able to raise a sword to protect the Darfuris, but we could make sure through economic pressures that Darfuri lives would not be taken with weapons bought by Georgia’s dollars. A host of legislators including State Rep. Tyrone Brooks, State Rep. Wendall Willard, State Sen. David Shafer and State Sen. David Adelman addressed new targeted divestment legislation.

As Laura Moye from Amnesty International led our chants from the Capitol steps, we could hear, even if very faintly, a growing chorus of Georgians who were standing up for Darfur. It was a day to behold.

SENATOR DAVID SHAFER INTRODUCES SB 370

It’s not the first bill of its kind to be introduced in the Georgia Legislature, but it is the first with our complete backing. The Coalition members who support targeted divestment from Sudan will be happy to know that SB 370 is a model piece of legislation developed by the Sudan Divestment Task Force. Thanks to the efforts of Mark Sheinfeld, David Lefkovits and perhaps most importantly, at the urging of Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, the bill was developed and sent to Sen. Shafer with a friendly note about how this legislation would insure that Georgians never have to worry about funding genocide in Darfur.

Sen. Shafer took the legislation and ran with it, garnering a bi-partisan group of co-sponsors within a day of the legislation’s introduction.

You can read more about Sen. Shafer’s efforts here: here.

The bill is to be found here.

We want YOU to let your legislators know about the bill, so….

LOBBY DAY AT THE CAPITOL ON FEB. 12!

We’re going to have a Lobby Day at the Capitol on Feb. 12. We’ll meet in the morning for a quick 60-minute orientation session on divestment and on how to encourage your legislators to make the right move and support SB 370. We’ll be delivering the support cards we distributed at the rally and letting each Senator know that this is a good bill, a smart bill and a bill that Georgians want to see signed into law.

Those interested should meet at 9am at Trinity United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall, 265 Washington St., SW, Atlanta, GA 30303 (directly across from the Capitol). Please join us for a morning orientation with instructions on talking with legislators and to pick up materials. First timers welcome! We anticipate ending by noon.

A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP Since our Coalition is comprised of so many different organizations, it’s important to have leadership that turns over often enough that the Coalition remains exactly what it should: a broad group of individuals coming together for a common cause. It has been a pleasure to serve you this past year. Taking my place will be Melanie Nelkin of the Bremen Museum. Ms. Nelkin is one of the original founding members of the Coalition and has since served on its Executive Board. My husband, Mark, who has led communications and served as my right arm this year, is stepping down as well. Coming behind him is Tracie Ingram, someone who joined us after assisting in the planning of the Dream for Darfur Torch Relay with Soumya Kantamneni.

You may contact either of them through their new web addresses: Melanie@gadarfur.org and tracie@gadarfur.org. Please contact them about events, speakers, and all of the Coalition’s ongoing activities.

‘IN DARFUR’ PRODUCTION AT HORIZON THEATRE

On April 8, the Horizon Theatre will hold a very special showing for DUACG members of “In Darfur,” a poignant drama about the crisis in Darfur. We have been allotted 175 seats for this night.

Here’s the storyline: “In the hunt for a human interest story that will break the silence on the crisis in Darfur, a New York Times reporter’s life becomes intertwined with an aid worker’s mission to save lives and a Darfuri woman’s quest for safety at a refugee camp. Their own lives are put at risk trying to escape and bring this searing story of urgency and international significance to light to the world.”

Tickets can be obtained by emailing Mark Hoerrner at mark@gadarfur.org. Adults: $20; Children under 12 and Students, $10. Group rates: 10 or more, $15 each. All proceeds will benefit DUACG.

If you miss our special fundraising opportunity, the production runs normally from April 11 through May 11.

PARTNER EVENTS: U.S. HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM

USHMM will be hosting an open event with Jerry Fowler, formerly the USHMM’s director for the Committee on Conscience and the incoming Executive Director for Save Darfur. Fowler is a longtime activist who has been to both Chad and Sudan, specifically Darfur, and can talk directly and vividly about the situation on the ground.

The event will take place May 5 at a location To Be Announced. Everyone is welcome. For more information, please contact Jack Karako at jkarako@ushmm.org.

NEXT COALITION MEETING

Feb. 28, 7 p.m. Oglethorpe University Student Center. The meeting takes place downstairs in the Center for Civic Engagement. Parking is free and the meetings are always open to the public.

Sincerely,

Dr. Keisha Hoerrner Former Chair, Darfur Urgent Action Coalition of Georgia

Click here for the August 2007 Newsletter

Click here for the June 2007 Newsletter

APRIL UPDATE

Click here for the April 2007 Newsletter

MARCH UPDATE

Click here for the March 2007 Newsletter